System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a software tool that allows you to manage systems on your network. Administrators use it to automate computer installation, update software, and provide multiple ways to apply security updates. SCCM was first released in 2001 by Microsoft and has since been updated several times. The most current version includes significant changes from previous ones.
How does SCCM work?
SCCM is a client-server application that uses a client-server architecture. It has four main components: The Configuration Manager console, the site database, site system servers, and clients.
The Configuration Manager console provides a central point to manage all aspects of configuration management throughout your organization. Launching this tool on your computer connects to SQL Server Reporting Services to retrieve data related to SCCM components like sites, collections, and deployed applications. This information is displayed in a tree structure where each node represents an object within Configuration Manager, such as “Application” for deploying applications or “Sites” for managing sites in SCCM.
The site database stores information about installed packages and updates along with reports generated by System Center Configuration Manager.
Site system servers are used by SCCM consoles when managing objects, such as installing updates or creating collections based on multiple criteria such as user location or operating system version.
Client computers run agents that communicate with the server every 10 minutes so they can receive software updates from Microsoft Servers.
Which operation systems are covered under SCCM?
The SCCM can be used on all of the following operating systems:
- Windows 7 SP1 and later
- Windows 8 and later
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, and later (including Server Core)
- Windows Server 2012 and later (including Server Core)
Pros of SCCM
SCCM is a centralized tool for managing software, hardware, and operating systems in an enterprise environment. It is a powerful tool that allows you to control every aspect of your organization’s computing environment through a single pane of glass. It runs in the background of your network and manages assets without user interaction.
It is also flexible, allowing IT administrators to create and deploy applications across different platforms easily. SCCM has been designed to be easy to use; it incorporates various wizards that help you manage your infrastructure efficiently.
The last advantage of using SCCM over other deployment tools is its user-friendliness—it doesn’t require coding or scripting knowledge from users who want to download updates manually on their machines (which can be extremely tedious).
Cons of SCCM
The main con of SCCM is that it is a complex tool. This means that it takes time to learn and master, which may not be suitable for small businesses or companies that don’t have much experience with IT tools. Also, SCCM is expensive to buy and maintain because it requires dedicated hardware, a network license server or SQL database server, and additional software licenses. Finally, the setup process can be difficult if you’re unfamiliar with Microsoft products or Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems (OS).
SCCM is a powerful tool that helps you manage every aspect of your IT infrastructure. However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The most important thing to remember is that if you want to use SCCM effectively and efficiently, you must invest in professional training and support.
What are SCCM’s requirements?
Minimum hardware requirements:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with x86-compatible architecture
- RAM: 192 MB of RAM (2 GB recommended)
Minimum software requirements:
- Windows Server 2003 SP2
- Windows Server 2008 SP2
- Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
- Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2
Is SCCM right for you?
To use the SCCM tool, your organization will need to meet the following requirements:
- A Windows Server that is running SQL Server 2005 or later.
- A network license server (if you want licenses for more than five computers).
- An internet connection so that you can connect to Microsoft’s Software Update Service and download updates from the Internet.
- An Active Directory domain containing at least one client computer for SCCM to communicate with clients on their network. This means that if you only have one client computer, then this requirement does not apply because there’s no need for replication of data between other servers or sites in an Active Directory network where all clients are located at HQ in different cities across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific regions; however, if any branch offices exist outside these regions, then they must have their site code created within Configuration Manager Console which provides them access similar features as those available within headquarters like Software Update Management, etc.
Conclusion
SCCM is a powerful tool to help you manage your company’s computers and devices. It includes many features that make it ideal for businesses, such as installing software on all machines or automatically pushing out updates. However, there are also some drawbacks to this program that you should consider before making any decisions about whether or not it’s right for your business needs.
